Technology Resources

Prior to Chromebook distribution, all families are asked to review the Chromebook Insurance Information. Rates for insurance are $45 per student with a $110 cap per family.  

The insurance fee can be paid online through Skyward Family Access or in person at Westonka High School Fast Start or Westonka Middle School Open House by cash or check (payable to ISD #277). Receipt of payment will indicate a family's consent to receive insurance for a student device. Families who opt not to take insurance will be responsible for any repair costs.  

Chromebook Insurance Information

Effective Coverage: Immediately when a student receives their Chromebook if payment for insurance has been received.

Expiration Date: The last day of the school year, or the day a student withdraws from school, whichever comes first. If a student withdraws from Westonka Public Schools for any reason, this insurance agreement becomes null and void on that date. There are no refunds once this agreement becomes active on the date the Chromebook is issued. Devices not returned on the date of withdrawal will be reported to collections for replacement cost.

NOTICE: Caution Against Fraud

Any person who, with intent to defraud or knowing that they are facilitating a fraud against an insurer, submits an application or files a claim containing a false or deceptive statement is guilty of insurance fraud, a Federal Offense.

No Insurance

Families may choose to not insure the Chromebook and will be responsible for the full value of the Chromebook or repairs. Replacement or repair fees will be assessed for lost or damaged Chromebooks according to the following estimates:

• Replacement cost for District provided Chromebook case is $20
• Replacement cost for District provided Chromebook AC Charger is $30
• Replacement cost for District provided Chromebook is $300
• Replacement cost for District provided Chromebook motherboard is $200
• Replacement cost for District provided Chromebook keyboard $40
• Replacement cost for District provided Chromebook palm rest is $90
• Replacement cost for District provided Chromebook screen $60
• Replacement cost for District provided Chromebook battery are $60
• Replacement cost for District provided Chromebook hinge/video cable are $15-25

Managing and Saving Your Digital Work

The majority of student work will be stored in Internet/Cloud-based applications and can be accessed from any computer with an Internet connection and most mobile devices.

Chromebook Use Outside of School

Students are encouraged to use their Chromebooks at home and at other locations outside of school. A WiFi Internet connection will be required for the majority of Chromebook use. Families without reliable Internet are are encouraged to contact the Technology Integrationist for assistance.

Content Filter

The district utilizes an Internet content filter that is in compliance with the federally mandated Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA). All Chromebooks, regardless of physical location (in or out of school), will have all Internet activity protected and monitored by the district. If a website is blocked at school, then it will be blocked outside of school. If an educationally valuable site is blocked, students should contact the Technology Integrationist.

Charging Chromebooks

Students are expected to bring fully charged Chromebooks to school EVERY day and will bring their Chromebooks to all classes, unless specifically instructed not to do so by their teachers.

If a student does not bring their Chromebook to school or doesn’t bring it charged:

• Students may stop in the media center and check out a loaner for the day.
• The media center will document the number of times a loaner is issued to each student and will send reports to the main office. Not bringing your Chromebook to school, or bringing it without a charger, may result in disciplinary action.
• A student that obtains a loaner will be responsible for returning the borrowed device to the media center by the end of the school day.
• If a loaner is not turned in by the end of the school day, the media center will submit a report to the main office, and disciplinary action may be taken.

Repairing/Replacing Your Chromebook

All Chromebooks in need of repair must be brought to the media center as soon as a problem is detected.

Loaner Chromebooks will be issued to students during repairs. A student using a loaner Chromebook will be responsible for any damage to, or loss of, the issued device. All Chromebook repairs will be completed by the district.

Disciplinary Actions

Where the school administration determines that an authorized student user has violated the district’s Internet Acceptable Use and Safety Policy #5160 or its administrative regulations, any other district policy or procedure, and/or state or federal law, they may revoke or suspend the user’s access rights. All student users, whether authorized or unauthorized, may be subject to disciplinary actions and criminal and/or civil liability to the extent authorized by law. 

Disciplinary actions for violations may include, but are not limited to:

• Conference between the user and relevant staff;
• Parent contact (for student violations);
• Confiscation of inappropriate item(s);
• Restoration/restitution;
• Student discipline pursuant to district discipline policies and procedures, including but not limited to suspension and expulsion; 
• Referral to law enforcement

There are three ways to activate your account:

1. Invitation: Look for an invitation in your email or as a text message with a link to activate your ParentSquare account.
2. Activation Link: If you have not activated your account or received a link, go to the ParentSquare website.
3. Via the App: You can also activate your account on the App. Log in with your email or the cell phone number on file with your child's school.

Westonka Schools asks that all families use Skyward Family Access to ensure that the district has the most current phone numbers and e-mail addresses in the event of a weather-related closing or other announcement sent through ParentSquare.

To make sure that you are receiving these alerts, please take the following steps:

1. Log into Skyward Family Access with your username and password
2. Select "My Account" from the top right of the screen.
3. Under “Account Settings” you will see all of the email and phone numbers that are entered. This is the contact information that will be used in ParentSquare. Please Note: The “Phone” number might not match your specific phone number, but it should be someone’s phone number in your family. This is the primary family phone number.
4. Once you have many any changes, select "Save"

The ParentSquare app is available in both iOS or Android stores: App Store or Google Play.

Downloading the ParentSquare App is not required, although it is the easiest way to receive and find information all in one place. If you don't download the app, you will still receive communication the same way you do now - through your email, as text messages or as robocalls.

Tip: If you choose to download the ParentSquare App, you may want to update your Notification Settings (in My Account) to turn off texts, and turn on App notifications. This way, you'll only receive alerts on your phone once (through the App) instead of twice, through the App and via text. 

By default, all messages will be sent to you in an evening digest (typically around 6 p.m.). You can change your notification settings to receive messages when they are sent (urgent alerts will always be sent immediately). Once you are logged in to ParentSquare, click on your name and choose My Account, then Notification Settings. From here, you can choose if you'd like email alerts, text alerts and app alerts in one of three ways: 

• Off (not recommended)
• Instant
• Digest

Instant means that you will receive information as it is sent. For example, if your child's school sends an email at 2 p.m. you will receive it at 2 p.m.

Digest mode gives you the option to receive all your communications at around 6 p.m. each day, instead of as they are sent.